CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In an impressive display, South Africa amassed 615 runs, highlighted by Ryan Rickelton’s remarkable innings of 259, on the second day of the second test match at Newlands. By the day’s end, Pakistan found themselves struggling at 64 for 3, trailing by a substantial 551 runs.
Pakistan’s situation worsened further as they were already a player short following Saim Ayub’s ankle injury sustained on Friday. South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada made significant early inroads, catching the outside edges of captain Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel. Marco Jansen then made his mark by bowling Kamran Ghulam, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 20 for 3 during the ninth over. Despite the setbacks, Babar Azam found himself at the crease, remaining unbeaten on 31 from 77 deliveries, alongside Mohammad Rizwan, who was not out on 9.
Rickelton’s extraordinary performance spanned over ten hours, during which he struck 29 fours and four sixes, making it South Africa’s first test double century in eight years. Upon resumption of play with South Africa at 316 for 4, Kyle Verreynne took center stage with a dazzling display of batting, eventually reaching 100 — his fourth test century. The duo added 148 runs, frustrating the Pakistani bowlers who struggled to separate the pair.
In the morning’s fourth over, Pakistan struck when David Bedingham edged a delivery from Mohammad Abbas, granting Rizwan his fifth catch of the match. Verreynne faced two lbw challenges early on but proceeded to score swiftly against an exhausted Pakistani attack, with South Africa accumulating 113 runs in the first session while losing just Bedingham.
Rickelton, who started the day on 176, continued to build on his innings, achieving his double century in 265 balls with a single off Mir Hamza. The moment was marked with Rickelton raising his arms in celebration to acknowledge the enthusiastic crowd and his teammates.
After the lunch break, Verreynne completed his century, which became South Africa’s third of the innings, joining Temba Bavuma’s score of 106 made the previous day. Verreynne reached his hundred off 144 balls with nine fours and five sixes before being dismissed while attempting a slog sweep off Salman Ali Agha, caught at deep midwicket.
Rickelton then joined forces with Jansen, and they added 86 runs for the seventh wicket until Rickelton eventually fell, edging Hamza to third slip just before the tea break. Jansen, however, continued to assault the Pakistani attack aggressively, scoring 62 off just 54 balls, peppered with eight fours and three sixes. Keshav Maharaj also contributed with 40 runs off 35 balls before South Africa was bowled out. Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with figures of 3 for 94.
